Summer search for dual A1 funds

Published:07:57Thursday 04 April 2013

The dualling of the A1 south of Berwick has moved a step closer after it emerged that the Treasury is negotiating several road improvement schemes.

Funding for the development is expected to be announced in this summer’s Comprehensive Spending Review and the news has prompted Berwickshire MSP John Lamont to call for the action to be mirrored north of the border.

In last month’s budget, Chancellor George Osborne announced an increase in infrastructure spending of £3bn a year in an attempt to boost economic growth.

“By investing in the economic arteries of this country, we will get growth flowing to every part of it,” he said.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan, campaign director of the Dual the A1 Campaign, which has been running since 2007, welcomed news that funding was being sought for the 40 mile stretch of road up to the Scottish border: “I am pleased ministers are now seriously looking at allocating funds towards dualling the A1,” she said.

“Today’s news is extremely positive but the Dual the A1 campaign will continue until the upgrade has been completed”

Reacting to the news, fellow Conservative John Lamont MSP, said that any upgrade south of the border should prompt a similar commitment from the Scottish Government.

He commented: “Upgrading the A1 would provide a huge economic boost to the Borders, while also providing a road that is safer and faster to travel on.

“There is growing pressure on the SNP to invest in this route and I hope that they start to listen to the many people who are calling for it to be improved.”